10 Elf Schmelf

Elf Schmelf On Monday, when Judy got to school, she went to talk to Mr. Todd first thing. "Mr. Todd," said Judy, "you know how we're going around the world in eight days?" "Yes," said Mr. Todd. "And you know how my group is supposed to do Italy?" "Is there a problem?" asked Mr. Todd. "Kind of. I mean, yes. We can't do Italy. Or any country." "I'm sorry to hear that," said Mr. Todd. "Because not just our class, but Class 3V, too, is counting on going around the world in eight

days. And we can't go around the world without Italy." "It's sort of my fault," said Judy. "I missed a practice for the tarantella and Rocky and Frank and Jessica got mad and—" "I'd like you to try to work this out yourselves," said Mr. Todd. "Just do your best, okay?" "I'll try," said Judy. "Jessica came up with something she'll do herself, but I know Rocky and Frank, and they can stay mad way longer than eight days." "Well," said Mr. Todd, "tell you what. How about if we visit Italy last? We can wait till Day Eight and do it at the very end." "Thank you," said Judy. "Thank you, Mr. Todd. I'll figure it out. Or something."

All week, Class 3T, along with Class 3V, had a blast going around the world. Judy tried to forget all about Rocky and Frank being mad at her. In London, Judy and Amy got to say "Brilliant!" And they got to eat chips (aka French fries) with vinegar. In France, Amy Namey led the two classes in singing "Frère Jacques" in a round. In Yeah Man (aka Yemen), they got to eat spicy beans and rice with their fingers! Then they got to try brushing their teeth with a stick, like Nellie Bly! In Egypt, they built a giant sugar-cube pyramid. And in Japan, Judy got to try on a kimono and learn kirigami, the Japanese art of paper cutting. In China, they made brush paintings and ate fortune cookies (that were

really from the Happy Garden Chinese Restaurant, not China!).

"What does your fortune say?" Judy asked Amy Namey. You Will find new friends soon "Nice!" said Judy. "How about yours?" asked Amy. "What's it say?" "Nothing," said Judy. "It's blank? It has to say something. Let me see." Amy plucked the fortune right out of Judy's hand. You Will dance the tarantella ALONE

"Don't worry!" said Amy. "It's not a real fortune! It's written on a sticky note. In kid handwriting." "Something tells me it just might come true anyway," said Judy. By the next Tuesday, Classes 3T and 3V had traveled the world for seven days. The next day was the last day. The next day was Day Eight. There was only one problem. Rocky and Frank were still M-A-D mad. Madder than a spider bite. Madder than a tarantula dancing the tarantella. She, Judy Moody, was in a mood. She had a bad case of the DIY Blues. The Do-It-Yourself Blues. Judy always heard Mom and Dad saying, "If you want to get something done, do it yourself." Maybe she could do the dance without